Jan 19 2011
The Irvine Company today announced that three of its high-rise office towers have been awarded the prestigious LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council®, a designation reserved for the highest performing, most sustainable buildings.
The buildings located at 5 Park Plaza at Jamboree Center and 18500 Von Karman at Irvine Towers® in Orange County, Calif., are now LEED Gold certified and the landmark Symphony Tower in San Diego, Calif., is LEED Silver certified. In addition, Irvine Company Office Properties’ Hyatt Center in downtown Chicago received certification as the company’s first LEED Platinum building, the highest environmental recognition of its kind. Recognition was awarded in the LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance™ category with a rating system that helps building owners and operators measure operations, improvements and maintenance on a consistent scale, with the goal of maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.
According to Chris Popma, Irvine Company Office Properties Vice President of Operations, “Qualification for LEED certification is made possible by the cooperation of various groups including building customers, the cleaning and maintenance staff and building management teams. As a result of the coordinated effort with our vendors and customers, LEED certified buildings provide customers with high-performance, low-impact workspaces.”
Added Steve Case, Executive Vice President, “We are proud that our properties reflect a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. With sustainable practices already in place, we are confident that many more of our buildings will be recognized as we continue submissions to the U.S. Green Building Council. We are pleased that our customers can share in the benefits associated with officing in sustainable buildings.”
Benefits to customers include optimal management of operating expenses and a better working environment for occupants. Savings associated with reduced energy and water costs and other green practices are passed along to building customers, helping to manage common area maintenance (CAM) charges, as well as other operational costs. Customers also enjoy the benefits associated with a healthier working environment. A growing body of case studies over the past 20 years illustrates the potential benefits to productivity, absenteeism and employee retention as they relate to occupant experience. These are mirrored by health and wellness benefits, such as reductions in exposure to toxic substances and improvements in physical activity levels.
Source: http://www.irvinecompany.com/